Sequence of Phase Formation in Chemically Derived Ferroelectric Lead Zirconate Titanate Pb(Zr0.4Ti0.6)O3 Thin Films

A qualitative model for the sequence of phase transforma-tions leading to perovskite phase formation in sol–gel-derived PZT thin films is presented. It is suggested that for sol–gel-derived Pb(Zr_xTi_1–x)O₃ (x = 0.4) thin films, prepared using the molecularly modified alkoxide precursors (MMAP) approach, complete (or partial) conversion of the originally amorphous film into a "pyrochlore" phase, although possible, may not be necessary. Differences between the sequence of phase formation encountered in the tradi-tional (oxide-mix) synthesis and that in chemically derived ceramics are discussed. The sequence of phase formation in these thin films also appears to be intertwined with the texture development in that a (111) PZT texture develop-ment appears to be controlled by nucleation of the perovs-kite phase, assisted by a solid-phase epitaxial effect, and the (100)/(001) texture appears to be growth controlled.x